Indian-Made Explosives Fuel Russia’s War Machine Despite U.S. Warnings
An Indian firm shipped $1.4 million worth of HMX, a powerful explosive compound used in advanced military systems, to Russian companies in December 2024, The Gaze reports, citing Reuters. The transfers occurred despite U.S. threats to sanction any entities aiding Russia’s war effort in Ukraine.
The compound, known as HMX (or octogen), is widely used in missile and torpedo warheads, rocket motors, and other high-impact military systems, according to the U.S. Defense Technical Information Center. The Pentagon has labeled HMX “critical for Russia’s war effort.”
One of the recipients, Promsintez, is a Russian explosives manufacturer that Ukraine’s SBU security service alleges has direct ties to Moscow’s military. The SBU said Ukraine carried out a drone strike in April on a factory owned by Promsintez. Another recipient, HTIS, is a Russian subsidiary of Spain’s Maxam, which is controlled by New York-based Rhone Capital.
“We can confirm that the Russian company Promsintez has appeared on our radar in the past, including in connection with cooperation involving Indian counterparts,” said Vladyslav Vlasiuk, President Zelenskyy’s top sanctions adviser.
“While India has not typically been among the primary jurisdictions used for circumventing sanctions, we are aware that isolated cases can occur,” Vlasiuk added.
The U.S. Treasury has the authority to sanction any companies involved in such transactions. But under the Trump administration, Russia-related sanctions work has slowed significantly.
President Trump threatened earlier in July to impose 100% tariffs on nations purchasing Russian oil, but has so far held off on major sanctions targeting third-party military suppliers.
“We have repeatedly made clear to all our partners, including India, that any foreign company or financial institution that does business with Russia’s military industrial base are at risk of U.S. sanctions,” said a U.S. State Department spokesperson.
India’s Ideal Detonators Private Limited, based in Telangana, carried out the shipments. The firm did not respond to requests for comment. The largest shipment — worth over $1 million — went to Promsintez, while a smaller batch worth about $405,000 went to HTIS. Both shipments arrived at St. Petersburg port, customs records show.
India’s foreign ministry defended the export, stating:
“India has been carrying out exports of dual-use items taking into account its international obligations on non-proliferation, and based on its robust legal and regulatory framework that includes a holistic assessment of relevant criteria on such exports.”
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